Hyundai Motorsport Estonia Rally WRC2 Overview 11.07.2022: WRC RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP RALLY ESTONIA July 14-17th, 2022 Teemu Suninen and Fabrizio Zaldivar will both be looking to achieve a positive result at Rally Estonia in the Hyundai i20 N Rally2, after both drivers encountered issues last time out at Ral

WRC RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP
RALLY ESTONIA
July 14-17th, 2022



Teemu Suninen and Fabrizio Zaldivar will both be looking to achieve a positive result at Rally Estonia in the Hyundai i20 N Rally2, after both drivers encountered issues last time out at Rally Italia Sardegna.
 


Alongside his co-driver Mikko Markkula, Suninen will be hoping to turn the promising pace he has shown throughout the season so far into a strong result. Despite winning 14 stages in the WRC2 category across the first two events of the year, the Finnish duo are yet to stand on the podium in 2022. The pair will be aiming to change this trend in Estonia.
 


Zaldivar will embark on a new partnership at the rally, as he is joined by co-driver Marcelo Der Ohannesian. The Paraguayan/Argentinian crew will be hoping to get up to speed quickly and be competitive across the four days of action on the Estonian roads.


 
Suninen said: “Rally Estonia has been always a great challenge with a mixture of technical, narrow roads and super-fast wide roads. However I have always liked the rally as it is similar to my home rally in Finland.



Normally conditions change quite a lot from first loop to second loop when big ruts start appearing, so you have to adapt your driving to that. We had a good pre-event test and I am starting to feel happier with car;  I have a better understanding of how to get a more balanced setup for fast gravel rallies. I am looking forward to bring good points home for me and team.”



 
Zaldivar said: “Rally Estonia is a very interesting event. The roads are incredibly fast and very technical at the same time, so much so that sometimes you think you are going fast and then that is not reflected in the final time. A few weeks ago we did an excellent test here, together with Teemu and Ott.



The truth is that I learned a lot from their experience, especially when they were driving the Hyundai i20 N Rally2 on these kind of roads. I am confident that we will put everything into practice which will allow us to continue learning and scoring points for the team.”
 


Deputy Team Director Julien Moncet said: “The results our two WRC2 crews have produced this season have not reflected the pace they have shown in the Hyundai i20 N Rally2 at both Rally de Portugal and Rally Italia Sardegna. Based on their performance in Portugal, where they won 12 stages on the gravel, we hope that Teemu and Mikko can be quick on a similar terrain and fight for victory in Estonia.



For Fabrizio, the goal will be to get comfortable with his new co-driver Marcelo. Every stage will be valuable for them both as they work together to find their limit in the car. Our aim is to have a clean and competitive weekend and get our first WRC2 podium of the year.”
 





 
Thomas Villette, Nicoletta Russo - photo Hyundai